Tuesday, February 1, 2011

This is a super-easy project and a beginner can easily whip up a batch of these in an afternoon.

(This is my first attempt at writing a tutorial so please leave a comment if you notice something wrong with the instructions)

Requirements to make one 10.5" square potholder:

6.5" square feature fabric

Scraps of co-ordinating fabric (I used 3 fabrics, each aprox 6" by 10"

1 x fat quarter for backing and binding

2 x 10.5" square cotton batting

Thread to match backing fabric

Walking foot

Pins/ruler/cutting mat/rotary cutter

Step 1: Cut 1 x 11.5" square from your backing fabric. Lay it out right-side down and then centre the two 10.5" squares of batting on top of the wrong side of the backing square. Pin securely through all three layers at each corner.Step 2: Cut a 6.5" square from the feature fabric. (This is a great way to use printed panels). Centre the feature fabric square on top of the batting/backing sandwich.

Step 3: Cut the scraps of co-ordinating fabrics into strips. I cut 4 x 1.5" strips from each fabric, but you can vary the width of your strips, or cut them on an angle to create different effects.

Step 4: Trim the first two strips to 6.5" and pin one strip to each side of the feature square, right sides together.

Step 5: Using a walking foot and a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch the first two strips in place, using a straight stitch and a longer stitch length than you use for normal sewing (I used stitch length 3).
Start and stop stitching between 1/8" and 1/4" from the edge of the fabric.
Pull the bobbin threads through to the front, tie them off and trim them. The next row of stitching will cover the ends.Step 6: Flip the two strips open and "finger press" them flat. (Run your finger along the seam line to make the strip sit flat). Pin the next two strips in place to complete the frame around the feature square and stitch in place in the same way.

Step 7: Flip these strips open and finger press. Add the next row of strips in the same way and continue for each row untill the batting is covered.Note: After you finger press each set of strips open, roughly trim edges of the strip level with the edge of the batting square. (Photo courtesy of the three-year-old...)Step 8: Use the rotary cutter to trim the edges of the completed block and backing level with the edges of the batting.
The piecing and quilting is now all complete. Here is the back view showing the quilting.Step 9: Bind as normal and add a hanging loop at the same time.
Here is a tutorial that shows how to attach the binding: http://http//modifytradition.blogspot.com/2010/02/potholder-tutorial.html
I use 2.5" strips for my binding.
Use a leftover strip of binding to make a hanging loop.
Fold the long raw edges into the centre and press, then fold the strip in half so the raw edges are sandwiched in the centre of the strip.
Stitch close to the each edge along the length of the strip.
Fold the strip in half (short edges together) to form a loop.
Stitch the loop inside the binding seam allowance on the back of the potholder before turning binding and stitching it in place on the back (you would do it before commencing step 3 of the Modify Tradition binding tutorial).

Step 10: Find a spot to hang your fantastic new potholder where everyone can admire it. Maybe even bake a chocolate cake to test it out!